Pell, 76, appeared in Melbourne Magistrate's Court on Wednesday for a brief preliminary hearing to set the pace of upcoming proceedings. Pell was not required to enter a plea, but his lawyer Robert Richter, QC, indicated to the court his client would plead not guilty to all charges.

"For the avoidance of doubt and because of the interest I might indicate that Cardinal Pell will plead not guilty to all charges, and will maintain the presumed innocence that he has," Richter said.

Pell, the Vatican's finance chief until he stepped away from the role after the charges were announced last month, was surrounded by a protective police escort as he arrived at court shortly before 9am. He was met by a heaving media pack, protesters and supporters.

Wearing the black clothes and the collar of a priest, Pell did not answer questions hurled at him from the surrounding crowd as he arrived. Supporters and critics joined with the teeming mass of waiting local and international press to line up outside the court to gain access to the less-than 10 minute hearing.

The former archbishop of Sydney and Melbourne was screened by security as he entered the building, and he was escorted through the courthouse foyer.

A short time later the Cardinal entered Courtroom 2, a small court filled to standing-room-only with press and onlookers.

Sitting behind his legal team, Pell remained silent through the short proceedings. He was clapped by supporters when he later left the courtroom, with some saying "bless you".

Because of the number of people taking an interest in the proceedings, the ordinarily perfunctory filing hearing was teleconferenced into a second courtroom.

The details of the charges have not yet been made public. Pell, who returned to Australia from Rome earlier this month, strenuously maintains his innocence.

Mark Dadswell / Reuters
Cardinal George Pell is surrounded by police and members of the media as he arrives at the Melbourne Magistrates Court in Australia, July 26, 2017.